John Nicholas, 28, underwent a pioneering kidney transplant while fully awake at Northwestern Medicine Hospital on May 24. Instead of general anesthesia, doctors used spinal anesthesia, allowing him to be conscious throughout the surgery. Nicholas was discharged the next day, significantly reducing the typical hospital stay.
The innovative "awake transplant" method could lower surgical risks and reduce hospital time, making it a promising option for high-risk patients. Dr. Satish Nadig highlighted the benefits and the unique experience of showing Nicholas his new kidney before implantation. This approach aims to broaden access to kidney transplants.
Staying awake during surgery is common for procedures like cesarean sections and brain surgeries. However, it’s not yet widespread for other surgeries due to the need for customized experiences and the patient’s ability to handle the procedure without stress. Despite this, the trend is growing, with more patients opting to stay awake, potentially reducing risks and recovery times associated with general anesthesia.
SOURCE:
Fox News, June 26, 2024
Mercola, June 25, 2024